Hamas continues its talks with “Israel” over Prisoner exchange

Local Editor, 30-12-2009

Hamas responded to some media reports stating that it has rejected a prisoner exchange proposal by "Israel", and said that discussions on the swap deal will continue.

It was stated on Hamas's official website, that "Israel" refuses to release those knows as the "heaviest" prisoners in "Israeli" prisons; Marwan Barghouti, Ahmed Shaadat, Ibrahim Hamed, and Abdullah Barghouti. The prisoner swap comes as pressure on Tel Aviv, since "Israel" wants to secure the release of the "Israeli" soldier held by Hamas, Gilad Shalit.

A proposal of 450 prisoners to be released in return for Shalit is in order, in addition to another release of 500 prisoners later on. However, Tel Aviv insists that if released, the "heavyweight" prisoners are to be sent to the Gaza strip or to a third country, but not to their homes in the West Bank.

Hamas officials dismissed last Tuesday a report by Al Arabiya network, stating that the Palestinian movement refused an "Israeli" offer for prisoner swap, declaring that discussions are on the run. Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman said: "Hamas is continuing to hold consultations about the latest offer, and added that it is premature to talk about any results.

Hamas's demands might be rejected by "Israel", which might ruin the exchange talks until a settlement occurs. It would also permit "Israel" to deport many Palestinians from the West Bank and reject the release of others.

Osama Hamdan, Hamas senior official in Lebanon, warned on Tuesday of capturing more "Israeli" soldiers if "Israel" does not accept the Palestinians' conditions for a swap deal.

Yuval Diskin, the head of "Israel's" Security Agency (Shin Bet), said on Tuesday that the possibility of nominating Marwan Barghouti as the Palestinian Authority chief, and releasing Hamas prisoners into the West Bank could possibly give Tel Aviv a serious headache.

Answering a questioning of a third intifada, Diskin said that the chances of reaching a situation like in 2000 were weak, yet warned that "provocations like an attack on the Temple Mount or the burning of mosques" could facilitate the anti-"Israeli" current.